Klarinet Archive - Posting 000393.txt from 1999/07

From: Jack Kissinger <kissingerjn@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: [kl] Buffet E 11
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 16:35:21 -0400

Ian Black wrote:

> Well, there's nothing like starting a good argument, huh? Maybe I should
> stick to lurking...?

No way! We need a good argum... er, debate now and then. ;^)

> I have to agree that there is nothing to beat the personal service you get
> from reputable instrument shops. (do I need to add that I don't include the
> local guitar shop in this?) But is it really worth the price premium? When I
> got my clarinets (some 10-12 years ago) I was not aware of the existence of
> mail order, and bought from a local shop and got great service. I got to try
> out several different instruments in my own time before making the purchase
> (Buffet C12 Bb and R13 A). I later found out that I'd have paid less mail
> order.
>
> I can't, therefore, speak from experience about mail order companies. I
> have, however, heard nothing but good reports about Myatt's, a dealer in
> Hertfordshire, and I've not been able to find many cheaper instruments
> anywhere in the UK. John Myatt is an accomplished clarinet player, and I
> don't believe that he'd allow his staff to mail badly set up instruments.
> This is borne out by the reports I've heard. In my experience, local dealers
> have a hard time matching their mail order price. In any case I _always_ use
> them to check other people's prices against. (http://www.myatt.co.uk)
>
> ...and no, I'm not on commission!

I think I see a trend developing here. Some areas of the U.S. (and probably
other countries as well) seem to have good local shops which do a good job of
setting up clarinets before releasing them to customers. Others do not. Some
areas have stores which not only provide good service but are price competitive
into the bargain. (Apparently Texas with Brook Mayes is one. Another I can
think of is western Pennsylvania with Marks' Music. I'm sure there are others.)

Many other areas are not so fortunate, however. (Around Detroit is one,
according to Mark C. Around St. Louis is another. In St. Louis, list price is
the rule and I can echo the experience of Band Rental night that Jim Hobby
referred to. The two large music stores that showed up (which happen to be two
of the most highly regarded in town) came with stacks of new Selmer 1410's (one
of Selmer's plastic student models), still in their original sealed plastic
wrapping, dispensed like hotcakes to eager (but mostly naive) parents for only
$650 apiece (about $300 above mail-order price, I would guess). Would these
stores replace a pad that had fallen out or a bumper cork or repair a bent key?
Probably. But suppose a kid dropped the instrument and broke a tenon three or
four weeks after the purchase. Would the store rebuild (about a $70 job) it for
free? Perhaps but, having lived here for over 20 years observing the local
stores, I doubt it. Seems to me $300 will buy alot of service and the
difference between local and mail order prices on professional models is even
greater. Also, as is apparently the case in Seattle, the best repairman in St.
Louis -- the one all the clarinetists in the St. Louis Symphony and all the good
local freelancers that I know use -- is not connected with any of the music
stores.)

The trend I notice seems to be that stores owned by a good clarinetist or that
have a really good clarinetist working there in a key position, tend to be the
ones with the best service, selection (and the best prices) -- Tom Ridenour at
Mayes (but I consider this a national store, anyway), Carl Marks, Jr. and before
him, his father at Marks' Music, Lisa Argeris at International and John Myatt.
I'm sure there are many others. Be grateful if you are lucky enough to live
near one and support it. Frankly, though, when I see how the stores around here
operate, I lose no sleep at all shopping at Muncy Winds or WW&BW.

> P.S. Anybody have any suggestions as to an alternative for the (lost)
> plastic sleeving at the point where the LH B/C# (clarion) levers reach the
> rest of the key mechanism?

This is why I really answered this message. I presume you are referring to the
"silencers." One material often used, particularly in the past, is referred to
as "fishskin." Ferree's Tools (which I understand may have a branch in the UK)
sells it. Nowadays, many repair techs use teflon which comes in different
thicknesses in self-adhesive sheets. Ferree's also sells that. If the pin on
the end of the lever is long enough, you can also try wrapping it with a bit of
teflon tape (that plumbers use, available at hardware stores).

Best regards,
Jack Kissinger
St. Louis

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